Saturday, March 8, 2008

Snow and Other Happenings

It snowed in Mississippi last night! It almost never snows here, so when it does everyone is so excited! What a beautiful phenomenon. It was almost midnight when I realized we were actually getting snow, and I sat out on our deck alone and watched the snowflakes fall. There's something about it that's just magical.

I've been spinning too. I'm not very good at it but I love spinning. I went to Pretty Impressive Stuff at ARTichoke , and Rissa offered to give a lesson and didn't even charge me! Talk about southern hospitality. I bought a top whorl spindle and some roving while there. After I got home, I was trying out my new spindle and the hook came out! I was so aggravated. But Rissa told me to bring it back to her shop and switch it out for a beautiful cherry and walnut Kundert. It was love at first sight! sigh

That's some corriedale I purchased from Rissa too. She hand dyed it and named it Hydrangea Dreams. This is my third attempt at spinning, and it's getting better. I read on a Ravelry forum that beginners should spin 15 minutes a day, every day, and then the process will just click one day. It's good advice; I still have to park and draft, park and draft, and when I start getting tired, my spinning starts getting thicker and thicker. I can't wait for the day to come when I'll be able to draft as the spindle keeps turning. But even so, I love spinning! It's the most relaxing process, almost like I can feel all of the frustrations and tension I have pent up inside of me comes flowing out as I spin. (Maybe that's why the yarn is so thick sometimes, hehe). I got this book to help me learn: A Handspindle Treasury, by Spin Off magazine. And yesterday the book I ordered from Amazon, Natural Dying by Jackie Crook, came in. That is my next endeavor, to learn to dye my wool. (As if I need another hobby, hehe).

And last week, I received my 1st package of swap goodness from Amy Jo! Wow, she is so talented. Here are some piccies.

How cute is that?!! And she also included these:

She handpainted the little box which is a perfect storage place for the beautiful stitch markers she made. And what a beautiful bookmark! Amy Jo knows me so well already, yes she does. She sent really pretty stationary in my favorite colors, postcards, and 3 of her favorite recipes too. Not to mention some yarn, yay! We have both decided we're addicted to swapping. In the package that she received, I sent this:

Indeed, swapping is so much fun!

I bought a bellydancing DVD that was on sale this weekend and also got out all of my yoga DVD which I plan to start doing every morning before work. So far this year, I've lost about 15 pounds since Christmas, yay! I had been jogging 2 or 3 times a week, but not lately. It's just too cold and the cold air just hurts my lungs too much...so I haven't jogged in awhile. I know, excuses, excuses. Hopefully the yoga DVD's will stop collecting dust and be put to good use.

Awwww...thanks for the nice comments! I was horrified that the Dragonfly Turnings spindle bit the dust...but I was glad you got the Kundert, it is a much better spindle. LOL Your spinning is improving and the advice about 15 minutes a day is good stuff. :-D

Ok this might be the most random thing I've done but I was just googling the word meandering and came upon your blog - the title intrigued me and then I got excited as I began to read about your hobby explorations (I've been thinking a lot about looking into knitting) - anyway, then I was sad to see that your last post was in 2008! So for what it's worth, I'd love to read more :)

Ok this might be the most random thing I've ever done but I was googling the word meandering and came upon your blog - and since the name intrigued me I decided to check it out. I was excited as I began to read about your hobby explorations as I have been pondering ideas of hobbies for myself. But then I was sad to see that your last post was in 2008! So for what it's worth I'd love to read more :)